Dairy Farmers of Canada unveils next steps towards Net Zero by 2050

Mar 21, 2023

OTTAWA, ON, - Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) today released its Net Zero by 2050 Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms. The guide will help Canadian dairy farmers contribute to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, an ambitious goal set by DFC last year. Working towards this target confirms that the dairy sector is part of our country's solutions to tackle climate change and ensures that consumers can continue enjoying dairy products made with 100% Canadian milk for years to come.

"Net Zero by 2050 is an important commitment, but generations of Canadian dairy farmers have already shown their engagement towards new practices based on the science and innovation available at this time. This generation of dairy farmers is carrying forward these values," said Pierre Lampron, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "The leadership of Canadian dairy farmers in sustainability is bearing fruit. For instance, the carbon footprint of our dairy production is one of the lowest in the world."

DFC's Best Practices Guide has been developed in consultation with experts to help farmers identify and implement best management practices (BMPs) on their farm, including an overview of 30 BMP opportunities for reducing emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, and improving overall environmental sustainability.

DFC is working with GHG reduction specialists, federal and provincial governments, dairy stakeholders, and most importantly, farmers, on strategies that can be applied at the farm level to reduce and sequester emissions as we strive for continuous improvement.

Source : Newswire.ca

Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?